AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Howdy pardners! In honor of the upcoming American Independence Day holiday, I put together a short little one-shot which takes place one week after the end of The Fire Within: The Fire Witch Incident. I hope you will find their conversation humorous! XD

I wish to thank the 16 awesome people who voted in my poll regarding where Kai and Sam should spend their honeymoon. The top two choices were tied, but I decided that I leaned toward the choice of...a city of entertainment! So their honeymoon story is going to take place in the fictional music city of Shanville (think Nashville, Tennessee!). I see myself posting the first chapter in September - in a way that seems far off, but it's really only about 8 weeks away!

Hope you enjoy The Fire Within: The Independence Day One-Shot. Take care, everyone! -MNC 6/30/2016

Chapter 0 - Celebration

Today was Ninjago Independence Day. On this day 240 years ago, the citizens of Ninjago officially threw off the shackles of a monarchy and began to live as free people.

This year, the citizens of Ninjago were in a particularly celebratory mood. The oppressive heat and severe drought which had plagued the country had suddenly ended last week. This meant that people could resume summer activities such as filling their swimming pools, grilling burgers outdoors, and watching fireworks displays. In short, they could enjoy spending time outdoors once again.

The occupants of the Bounty were holding a celebration of their own, though it was rather low-key due to the fact that they were still somewhat tired from the ordeal they suffered last week at the hands of the source of the heat and drought - Fiora the fire witch.

The time was sunset, and they were waiting for the sky to get darker, for that was when the Ninjago City Park District fireworks display would begin. From where the Bounty was moored, they would have a pretty nice view of the somewhat distant spectacle. For now, they were sitting around the firepit on the deck and roasting s'mores, using none other than Bunny's Marshmallows, a favorite of Jay, the lightning ninja.

Samantha, the fiancee of Kai, the fire ninja, was instead opting to enjoy a bowl of vanilla ice cream. One reason was that she enjoyed the simple dessert, and another reason was that she was still having a little trouble with her throat. Unfortunately, during their harrowing captivity in the clutches of the fire witch, Fiora had placed the ninja brothers under a spell and had commanded Kai to put his hands around Sam's neck and kill her. Fortunately, Sam's tears broke the spell on Kai before she succumbed to the action, but a few weeks of healing time were going to be needed before she fully recovered. Kai tried not to feel guilty about what he did.

Though Sam was not an active participant in the discussion, she was enjoying listening to the others talk. They were currently conversing about the period in Ninjago history which had taken place about 150 years ago, when a civil war had been waged between those who wished to reestablish the monarchy and those who wished to preserve freedom.

"That Purple Army had some pretty bad dudes in it," Jay commented, speaking of the faction which believed a king should rule Ninjago. "They're the ones who started up Kryptarium Prison and threw prisoners into rattlesnake pits!" He shivered at the thought, just before popping a marshmallow into his mouth, straight from the bag.

"Good thing those Yellow Army soldiers were pretty brave, then," Kai chimed in. He was carefully toasting a marshmallow using a fireball from his hand instead of the firepit. "The history books say that the cowboys from western Ninjago were the best fighters out of all the troops."

Zane, the ice ninja, spoke up. "I believe that the regiments from western Ninjago also suffered the largest number of casualties," he said. "Many soldiers were injured by swords and had to be transported many miles away to reach the nearest hospital. Hospitals were not as numerous then as they are now." He lined up two graham crackers on a plate in preparation for creating his s'mores.

"Not having nearby hospitals in those days had to be hard on the pregnant women," Nya, the samurai, declared. "I mean, I know some women choose to have their babies at home these days, but back then, women had their babies in their bedrooms without medicines and sometimes without even a doctor around. Can you imagine that? I have to hand it to them for their bravery!" she exclaimed, looking at Sam. The blonde girl nodded her head vigorously in agreement.

"You think the women had it bad back in those days? The men had to go without video games then! Talk about roughing it!" Cole, the earth ninja, teased, chuckling as he unwrapped a piece of chocolate. "Though they did play a lot of poker games to occupy their time. I'd probably be pretty good at poker if I played it more often."

Lloyd, the most powerful ninja, bit into a s'more and then tried to talk. "I heard that when the capital of Ninjago was moved from Sasnak City to Ninjago City - well, I guess it was called Ninjago Town back then - the governor was thinking about outlawing poker, but the local law enforcement guys convinced him otherwise."

Just then, Sensei Wu came out on the deck to join the group. He was carrying a tray on which sat glasses and a pitcher of ice and a reddish-brown liquid.

"Oooh, Sensei, are you bringing us your famous Independence Day holiday iced tea?" Jay asked.

Sensei nodded. "Indeed I am, Jay." Cheers greeted his response.

"Your holiday iced tea is so good, Sensei," the blue ninja continued. "Are you ever going to reveal the secret ingredients to us?"

"Indeed I am NOT, Jay!"

Jay rolled his eyes as the others laughed.

Sensei poured and passed around the glasses.

"I would like to propose a toast," Sensei announced. After everyone raised their cups, he continued.

"To Ninjago, a wonderful country."

"To her past, a glorious history full of people who were brave and ambitious enough to create a safe place to live, work, and grow."

"To her present, an exciting time - sometimes fraught with danger, as we were reminded last week, but also full of joy, and love." Sensei looked at Kai and Sam, whose wedding would be taking place in just one more month. They smiled back at him, and then at each other.

"And to Ninjago's future. May it be as bright as the sun!" He raised his cup higher, to indicate he was finished.

"Hear, hear!" the others responded before partaking of the delicious beverage.

Just then, they heard a rumble.

Lloyd pointed to a distant part of the darkening landscape. "The fireworks started!"

The group grabbed their folding chairs and positioned them along the deck railing in such a way that they could sit and enjoy the light show.

As they sat next to each other and enjoyed the spectacle, Kai took Sam's hand and turned his head to face her.

"Maybe when we're on our honeymoon trip, I'll get me a cowboy hat," he smiled at her with that adorable lopsided grin.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "So where ARE we going on our honeymoon, Mr. I'm-Keeping-It-A-Secret?" she asked in a whisper.

He lifted her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed it. His soft brown eyes sparkled as he teasingly replied, "That's for me to know, and you to find out!"

******* THE END *******